Posca, the Drink of Victorious Marches
A simple, invigorating drink: water mixed with wine vinegar, sweetened with a little honey, and scented with herbs. Tangy and refreshing, it quenched soldiers' thirst and made the water of way stations safer to drink.
A simple, invigorating drink: water mixed with wine vinegar, sweetened with a little honey, and scented with herbs. Tangy and refreshing, it quenched soldiers' thirst and made the water of way stations safer to drink.
You might think an emperor drinks only wine from silver cups? On the roads, when my legions marched toward Rome and victory, we filled our canteens with posca: water, a dash of vinegar, a hint of honey, and some herbs. This tart drink quenches better than any other and keeps a man valiant. Drink it, and you will know the taste of our campaigns.
- •Water — a pitcher (base)
- •Wine vinegar (acetum) — a dash (acidity)
- •Honey — a little (sweetener)
- •Herbs (mint, coriander) — a few leaves (flavor)
Posca, the Drink of Victorious Marches
A simple, invigorating drink: water mixed with wine vinegar, sweetened with a little honey, and scented with herbs. Tangy and refreshing, it quenched soldiers' thirst and made the water of way stations safer to drink.
Why this dish? Constantine owed his throne to his armies: it was by marching on Rome that he defeated Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge in 312. Posca, vinegared water flavored with herbs, was the refreshing and sanitizing drink of legions on campaign—the sip that accompanied his conquests.
You might think an emperor drinks only wine from silver cups? On the roads, when my legions marched toward Rome and victory, we filled our canteens with posca: water, a dash of vinegar, a hint of honey, and some herbs. This tart drink quenches better than any other and keeps a man valiant. Drink it, and you will know the taste of our campaigns.
Ingredients (period version)
- Water — a pitcher (base)
- Wine vinegar (acetum) — a dash (acidity)
- Honey — a little (sweetener)
- Herbs (mint, coriander) — a few leaves (flavor)
Ingredients
- Fresh water — 1 liter (base)
- Red wine vinegar — 3 to 4 tablespoons (acidity)
- Honey — 1 to 2 tablespoons (sweetener)
- Fresh mint leaves — a few (flavor)
- Crushed coriander seeds — 1 pinch (flavor)
Method
- Warm a little water and dissolve the honey in it.
- Add the vinegar and mix.
- Top up with the remaining fresh water to make 1 liter.
- Add mint and coriander, let infuse for 10 minutes.
- Strain and serve well chilled.
How it was made : Posca was the basic drink of Roman soldiers and the lower classes: cheap, the vinegar made water safer and provided energy. Sources report it accompanied the legions everywhere. It is also posca—not vinegar as a mockery—that a soldier would have offered to drink, according to a historical reading of the Gospels.
The contemporary twist : Served over ice with a lemon slice, it is a surprisingly refreshing vinegared lemonade: 'switchel' before its time.
Sources : Plutarch, Life of Cato the Elder · Roman military sources (Vegetius, De re militari)
Constantine I · Charactorium
